So, updates have been difficult as work has picked up a bit. Let’s see if we can get caught up real quick. The weekend was great. It was just Mommy and Sissy all weekend. I think that was a first. Saturday we all went to the park that Nica had gone to on Tuesday. We played for about an hour or so, but there were three birthday parties and it was crowded. It would be a nice park for Nica if it wasn’t so crowded. After the park we went to Chic-Fil-A. Nica had been having a craving for about a week and a half. It turned out to be Mother\Son date night and their fun spilled over into the entire dinning area. The girls each got inflatable swords, and balloon flowers. Sunday was just a nice lazy day with the family. We all spent several hours in the Alvin room. Nica’s friends had come down as well and all the kids played together.
Monday it was back to work and boy did Nica work. It was the first day Nica walked without any kind of seat or sling in her gait trainer. She had to bear her own weight and walk. She does not like this activity at all. She can and does do it, but she really complains about it. I edited most of the screaming and yelling out of the videos, but I left some in for those that want a deeper experience.
Tuesday we did more walking and screaming in the morning, but it was field trip day so afternoon PT would be cancelled. For the field trip Nica finally got to go to the Florida Aquarium. She had the best time. She’s been the only girl in rehab for a while so it was funny to hear that she was the only kid on the trip that fed the fish and stingrays. She loved touching them. She said the stingrays felt like cold hot dogs. She hasn’t quit talking about the trip, and is asking to go back again today. When I told her she couldn’t go back today she asked to go home and see her aquarium. I told her she had to wait a few more days.
Wednesday morning gave us continued walking a crying. She’s really missing the seat in her gait trainer. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for her. She’s starting to scissor a little bit again so we’ve the leg straps to help combat it. In time it should become less of an issue as she gets more strength and control. The trick is to help Nica forget that she’s working so hard. Yesterday we used bubbles to distract her while walking and this morning we used stickers. She got one sticker for every ten steps she took. She still fussed a bit but not as bad. I also got some good video of this mornings walking. Filming has been difficult because she begs me to pick her up and hold her so she doesn’t have to walk. The best thing I can do for her at that point is leave and take away the temptation. Still, she continues to get better with each session. What a trooper.
